Country Garden Plants of an English Garden Landscape Design
Plants common to the charming European countryside are the magic ingredients of an English garden landscape design. With a look that is simple and quaint, yet elegant and refined, making this an ideal style for many modern homes.
Include a variety of plants, with many different sizes and textures, in your landscape design for an authentic country garden feel.
Adding Aroma with Herb Gardens
Herbs were an essential part of
cottage gardens
as well as European country gardens and add rich fragrance to your yard.
These plants are aromatic, attractive, and can be used for cooking and decorating:
• Lavender is a signature plant of
French country
landscapes.
• Rosemary, Sage and Basil are very common herbs to grow.
• Even gingko trees can be added into your design.
Plant herbs within flower beds near the home entrance or create an herbal window box or container arrangement. It is important to allow easy access to your country herb garden for fresh cooking ingredients.
Shrubbery for a Country Garden
Shrubs are excellent for privacy hedges, borders, or simply planted decoratively throughout your yard.
Include a variety of low shrubs, as well as taller shrubbery to add to the vertical element of your landscape.
• Roses are crucial plants for any English garden landscape design. Old-fashioned varieties are the most effective for a country garden appearance.
• Evergreens add color year round and are excellent for hedges.
• Flowering bushes with fragrance, like lilac and forsythia, add color and texture to your outdoor design.
Plant Trees For Food and Flowers
English garden
landscape designs are full of lush flowers, so it is important to avoid heavily shaded trees that may detract sunlight from your plants.
Small ornamental trees, especially those bearing fruit or nuts, are typically the best choice.
• Citrus trees, particularly lime or lemon trees.
• Fig trees are great eaten dried or for making jams.
• Stone fruit trees, peaches, plums, apricots and cherry trees.
• Nut trees plant assorted varieties that do well in your area.
• Crepe myrtles are ideal for displaying an abundance of color.
Fresh Vegetables Straight From the Garden
Vegetables are also an integral part of an American country or English garden landscape design.
These plants are excellent for cooking and add deep texture to your garden.
Select colorful vegetables that your family will enjoy, as well as a variety of unique plants with a Mediterranean flair.
• Climbers like pole beans and vines with juicy red tomatoes.
• Colorful eggplant, zucchini and assorted squash are good choices.
• Yellow, green, and red bell peppers will add color to your garden.
• Root vegetables like turnips, carrots, parsnips, onions and radishes.
• Leafy greens including lettuce, cabbage, endive and spinach make great salads.
The Accent of Color
Flowers should be abundant, vivid, and lush throughout your landscape.
Plenty of fragrant, colorful blooms is essential to a true country garden design.
Elect traditional European country garden plants mixed with charming American country garden flowers.
Balance the color in your garden through every season by planting both perennials and annuals, while including several evergreens as well.
• Purple is a significant color in country garden styles. The iris and coneflowers both provide soft hues and complement the natural design.
• Meadows of thick grass and vibrant wildflowers, reminiscent of the English countryside, can be achieved with a variety of native blooms like poppies and marigolds.
• Tall blooms complement the vertical element of country landscape designs. Suggestions include Japanese anemone, gaura, and lupine.
• Other typical country garden plants include tulips, geraniums, forget-me-nots, and pansies.
Graceful Climbers to Complete Your Design
Vines and creeping plants are another key element to your English garden landscape design.
They create vertical effects within your design and add elegance to walls and trellises.
• Grapes are typical of French Mediterranean country sides and are essential for French country landscapes.
• Sweet pea has a sweet fragrance.
• Wisteria features a purple hue to complement other purple blooms.
• Ivy offers a subtle, classy accent year round.
There are many different country garden plants that work well in an English garden landscape design. Select plants that grow well in your area, as well as in the soil specific to your property and remember the elements and principles of design planning as you create your plans.
If you are unsure of the best plants to complement your English garden landscape design or require further assistance with your landscaping needs,
contact us for a complimentary consultation
with one of our expert landscape professionals in your local area. We also have some excellent landscape architects and garden designers who specialize in English garden landscape design and can create plans for you with our
online landscape design service
no matter where you live.
Herbs were an essential part of
Shrubs are excellent for privacy hedges, borders, or simply planted decoratively throughout your yard. 
Vegetables are also an integral part of an American country or English garden landscape design. 
Flowers should be abundant, vivid, and lush throughout your landscape. 
Vines and creeping plants are another key element to your English garden landscape design. 
